Welcome to vanda orchid and growing page.

The genus Vanda contains many species represented by large handsome plants and a wide variety of beauty in the flowers.

By some growers considered difficult to cultivate, their charm is well worth the supplying of their particular needs and the studying of their habits.

The plants are pseudobulb-less, the leaves distichous (dis-tik-ous), or disposed in two parallel lines along the heavy, erect stem.

The tendency of the stem is to grow up toward the sun, as the surprised amateur finds when his plant reaches the roof and has no more room to grow. The lower leaves frequently drop off.

Thick aerial roots form along the stem and, when smooth, green-tipped, and fat, indicate that the plant is progressing. When they become shriveled and ringed, something is drastically wrong with their culture.

In the showier species the flowers are borne in loose racemes and have spreading sepals and petals; in others the petals are spread and tend to roll under.

In the former type the texture of the flowers is papery but shines as though sprinkled with diamond dust. In the latter the texture is leathery or waxy and very heavy. The lip is often very inconspicuous.

When it comes to the vanda orchid and growing, the vanda’s are considered sun-worshipers, natives of India, the Philippines, and some Pacific islands. They will not thrive without adequate sun, and they must have corresponding amounts of heat and water. Care must be exercised to keep water from remaining in the growing crown.

Vandas, since they are without pseudobulbs, must have water at all times, but their lusty aerial roots will take care of some deficiency in watering by taking moisture from the air.

Phalaenopsis, also pseudobulb-less, must not be allowed to dry out entirely. Watering of this species must be done with care to prevent water from remaining in the crowns, a condition that is conducive to the growth of fungus.

Certain plants (all Vandas, some Laelias, and Coelogyne cris-tata) react so badly to repotting that it is best to resort to other expediencies. Decomposed material may be removed from between the roots with tweezers and fresh material gently tucked in its place.

The potting method described applies to all Cattleyas, hybrids, and allied genera. Vandas, with their air-loving roots, must have different treatment.

Vanda coerulea, especially, will do better on a raft than in a pot. The roots will then be able to wander freely through the Osmunda tied around the base of the plant and the stocky aerial roots will break above the Osmunda.

One method of dividing a Vanda (not particularly recommended to the amateur, until he has at least gained some experience) is to cut off the top part of the plant below one or two of the big fat roots breaking from the stem.

The top part may then be tied on a raft, and both parts are supposed to grow and flower. This would be dangerous treatment for V. Sanderiana, a plant apparently loath to send out typical roots from the stem.

When it comes to the vanda orchid and growing habits, if vandas are planted in pots, good drainage must be assured (at least one-third crock being used), and the plant should be well centered in the pot.

Vanda Sanderiana, as has been indicated, is the most temperamental of the vandas. It thrives in a large pot and reacts badly to repotting. Old medium may be removed from the roots and fresh material tucked in its place. Repotting, with Vandas as with Cattleyas, makes a good time to check up on scale—a pest most detrimental to this plant.

It appreciates a warm, moist condition, with slightly diminished water at the roots during winter. It requires little shade, since it seems to rest but little.

When grown in good conditions, V. coerulea has an unusually fine root system for an orchid and will bloom prodigally, sometimes twice and, less frequently, three times a year.

Vanda teres and V. Agnes Joachim seem difficult to bring to bloom in the temperate zones, their requirements for heat, intense sun, and much air being difficult to fulfil in a green house.

Vanda tricolor and V. suavis, whose roots require air and moisture at all times, are more easily accommodated. Vanda San-deriana requires more heat than V. coerulea and needs air and moisture at all times.

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